Anchiskhati Basilica
Tbilisi's oldest surviving church, a 6th-century basilica in the Old Town and home of the renowned Anchiskhati Choir.
Anchiskhati BasilicaPhoto: Gerd Eichmann, CC BY-SA 4.0Anchiskhati Basilica of St Mary is the oldest surviving church in Tbilisi, built in the 6th century. It stands on Ioane Shavteli Street in the upper part of the Old Town, next to the Gabriadze puppet theatre and its leaning clock tower. The church is a three-nave basilica of stone and brick, low and dim inside, and it feels much older than the streets around it. Beside it stands a brick bell tower built in 1675. The name means icon of Anchi, after a revered icon brought here that year.
The basilica is home to the Anchiskhati Choir, one of the best-known ensembles of Georgian polyphonic singing, and services here are a good chance to hear traditional chant. The church is small and active, so visit quietly. It sits on a pedestrian street with cafes and galleries between Freedom Square and the Bridge of Peace, which makes it an easy stop on any Old Town walk.
History
Georgian annals attribute the church to King Dachi, who ruled around 522–534 and moved the capital to Tbilisi. In 1675 a revered icon of the Saviour, made by the 12th-century goldsmith Beka Opizari for the Anchi monastery in Klarjeti, was brought here to protect it from the Ottomans, and the church took the name Anchiskhati. It was damaged and rebuilt several times between the 15th and 17th centuries, became a museum and then an art studio under Soviet rule, was restored in 1958–1964 and returned to worship in 1991.
What to see and do
- See Tbilisi's oldest surviving church, from the 6th century
- Hear Georgian polyphonic chant at a service
- Look at the brick bell tower of 1675
- Watch the angel strike the bell at the Gabriadze clock tower next door
How to visit
Getting there
Anchiskhati is on Ioane Shavteli Street in Old Tbilisi, about 7 minutes' walk from Freedom Square and 5 minutes from the Bridge of Peace.
When to go
Sunday morning service. Plan 15–30 minutes here.
- Dress modestly; women should cover their heads.
- Do not use flash in the small, dim interior.
- Arrive just before the hour to see the Gabriadze clock tower angel on the way out.
Anchiskhati Basilica: FAQ
What is the oldest church in Tbilisi?
Anchiskhati Basilica, built in the 6th century and attributed to King Dachi, is the oldest surviving church in Tbilisi. It stands on Ioane Shavteli Street in the Old Town.
Why is it called Anchiskhati?
The name means icon of Anchi. In 1675 a revered icon of the Saviour from the Anchi monastery in Klarjeti, now in Turkey, was brought here for safekeeping.
Tours that include Anchiskhati Basilica
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Nearby places
Straight-line distance from Anchiskhati Basilica.
